Re: Another ZipGSX Mod Success!

[Warren Ernst <wernst@gmail.com>]

On Oct 8, 10:15 am, sc...@alfter.DIESPAMMERSDIE.us (Scott Alfter)
wrote:
> In article <N46dnR_kqcl6oJXanZ2dnUVZ_iydn...@giganews.com>,
> Steven Hirsch  <snhir...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Polymorph wrote:
>
> >>> Instead of cutting the sockets, I tool the plunge and used my aging OK
> >>> Industries desoldering station to remove the originals outright.  Went
> >>> very smoothly.  The Zip PC board seems to have fairly heavy cladding
> >>> and robust plate-through on the vias.  Managed to do the job without
> >>> (God forbid) tearing any traces or lifting pads.  My 55-year-old eyes
> >>> are not up to this task without a good magnifier between them and the
> >>> PCB :-).
>
> >> If only I had such a desoldering station....<sighs>. Anyone recommend a
> >> good one that doesn't cost the bank?
>
> >I picked this one up at a Ham Radio Flea Market for $50.00.  Production grade
> >units are quite costly, but I've seen some very reasonably priced light-duty
> >stations advertised in Nuts and Volts Magazine.  Try poking around on the web
> >or watch eBay!
>
> I've done fairly well with the desoldering iron Radio Shack sells (or
> sold...given their devolution into just another cell-phone shop, they might
> not sell them anymore) for maybe $10 or $15.  It looks like a soldering
> iron, but with a hollow tip and a squeeze bulb attached.
>
> Hmm...just tried googling for "desoldering iron," and it came up in the
> first link:
>
> http://www.radioshack.com/sm-45-watt-desoldering-iron--pi-2062731.html
>
> Wonders never cease.
>
>   _/_
>  / v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
> (IIGS(http://alfter.us/           Top-posting!
>  \_^_/ rm -rf /bin/laden            >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Agreed. This tool is an amazingly effective de-solderer. I've spent
countless dozens of dollars <G> over the years on braids, mechanical
solder suckers, and other gizmos, but Rat Shack's weird, cheap little
bulb-based tool works extremely well. Highly recommended.

-Warr